RABOWAL (AMRITSAR): Seemingly undeterred by the “Operation Night Dominance” currently under way, militants killed seven persons in this village recently, Three of the seven are relatives of Punjab’s Minister for Transport Master Jagir Singh, and the rest, of police personnel. This is the second attack on a ministers kin in this district. In the first attack the son of Punjab’s social welfare minister was killed.
According to the relatives of the killed, the militants entered this village around 11:30 in the night, searched four houses and took out the targeted persons, including a woman, They were made to walk a little distance and shot.
One of the militants, who was carrying a torch, examined the faces of the victims to make sure they were dead.
Surjit Singh, a survivor, said he faked death and walked back home, once the militants left.
The names of the ministers kin who were killed are: Satnam Singh, son of Gujar Singh, Sukhdev Singh, son of Dara Singh, and Gurnam Singh, son of Hajara Singh. The four relatives of police personnel killed are:Gian Kaur, wife of head constable Swaran Singh Bath, Kishan Singh, his son Gurmeet Singh, and his nephew Roshan Singh.
Elsewhere in Punjab five militants were among nine persons killed, three others were kidnapped and six militants arrested.
Police shot dead three militants in an encounter near Jawahar village in Majitha police district. Two of the slain militants were identified as Malook Singh alias Malooka and Massa Singh alias Massoo.
A stun gun, a self-loading rifle, a 303 rifle and a hand grenade were recovered from the site of encounter,
A militant, identified as Kulwant Singh, was killed in cross fire when the police party escorting him for the recovery of arms was ambushed near Chak Mastu village in Bhatinda district.
An unidentified militant was killed in an encounter with security forces near Kaleke village in Majitha police district, An AK-47 rifle was recovered from the slain militants,
Militants forced entry into the house of one Bachan Singh at Jassowal village in Jagraon police district and shot him dead. The victims son Gurdev Singh was injured in the firing.
One Bachitar Singh, a driver in the Punjab Roadways (Tam Taran depot), was gunned down by militants while he was going on a cycle near Bagepur village in Tarn Taran police district.
Militants shot dead Prem Nath at Fategarh Nawabad village in Bhatinda district.
Piara Singh, who was shot at and injured in inter-gang warfare near Mahar village in Amritsar district a few days ago, succumbed to his injuries in the civil hospital at Amritsar.
A Ludhiana businessman Anand Sarup was kidnapped along with his driver and servant while they were travelling near Macchian village in Ludhiana district, The kidnappers have commanded Rs 20 lakh as ransom for their release.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 11, 1992
